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kurtdrache1

Up's Throttle Woes: Rough Running & High Fuel Usage

My Up with 87000km runs really rough lately. The engine throttle seems off as fuel consumption went through the roof and cold starts are a nightmare. The throttle position feels sluggish and unresponsive. Last mechanic visit left me with doubts, so before going back I would love to hear if anyone dealt with similar control valve issues on their 2013 gasoline model? Did you get it fixed and what was the actual problem?

4 comment(s)

heinzstern79

Had similar symptoms with a 2016 Polo TSI. The throttle body was causing erratic idle and delayed throttle response. Initial diagnosis pointed to carbon buildup affecting the throttle valve operation. The main issue was the throttle control module not reading pedal position correctly. After throttle cleaning did not resolve it, the accelerator pedal position sensor needed replacement. The throttle body assembly also required recalibration to restore proper function. This was a serious repair as it affected both drivability and safety. Symptoms included: Rough idle, Increased fuel consumption, Delayed acceleration, Inconsistent throttle response, Hard starting when cold Worth checking the throttle body connector for corrosion and ensuring proper voltage at the sensor. The engine throttle system is complex, when the control valve malfunctions, it can mimic various other issues. Getting proper diagnosis with specialized diagnostic equipment is essential. The repair resolved all symptoms and restored normal throttle operation. Regular throttle cleaning could help prevent similar issues in the future.

kurtdrache1 (Author)

Had exact same problem on my Up last winter. My fuel efficiency tanked and the engine idle was completely unstable. The throttle valve apparently needed both cleaning and recalibration. Fixed all the driveability problems and rough running. Would you mind sharing what repairs cost in your case? I paid around 380€ for the complete job. Just curious if others got similar quotes. Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix?

heinzstern79

Since getting the repair done, my Up has been running perfectly with no throttle position issues. The air intake and throttle response are back to normal, and fuel efficiency has returned to expected levels. The total repair cost was 205€ for replacing the defective accelerator pedal module. This was actually less than your quote since the throttle body just needed recalibration rather than replacement. The throttle valve repair completely resolved all the drivability problems. Been about 6 months now and everything works like new, smooth idle, proper acceleration, and normal fuel consumption. Regular maintenance of the air intake system should prevent similar issues from developing again.

kurtdrache1 (Author)

Glad to share my experience, the mechanic visit last month finally solved everything. After seeing your posts, I was confident the throttle body was the culprit. Took it to a different shop this time that specializes in engine control systems. The diagnosis confirmed carbon buildup was restricting the throttle valve movement. They performed a thorough throttle cleaning and control valve recalibration. The air intake system also got a good cleaning while they were at it. Total cost came to 380€ which seems fair compared to other quotes. The car runs perfectly now, fuel economy is back to normal and cold starts are smooth again. No more sluggish throttle response or rough running. Really glad I got a second opinion instead of replacing parts unnecessarily. Sometimes finding the right mechanic makes all the difference for these electronic throttle issues.

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